Best 1.5% Cash Back Credit Cards (Ranked & Compared)

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Credit card rewards were first introduced in 1984 with the Diner’s Club card. In the 1990s Discover and other issuers began offering cash back rewards, with 1% cash back becoming the industry standard. Today, credit cards that pay 1.5% cash back have become the new minimum standard.

They are ideal for those wanting a rewards card for everyday spending. These cards can also be part of a larger reward strategy using cards that pay even higher rewards in select categories. What follows is a list of the best 1.5% cash back cards currently available.

Summary of the Best 1.5% Cash Back Credit Cards

Chase Freedom Unlimited®—Editor’s Choice

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card 

American Express Cash Magnet® Card—Best Amex Option

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card

Discover It® Miles Card

Chase Freedom Rise® 

Earning Potential from a 1.5% Cash Back Credit Card

To estimate the earnings potential of each card, we made the following assumptions:

• $3,000 was charged to the card each month
• $300 of this amount was on travel purchased through Chase
• $250 of this amount was on dining, including delivery and takeout
• $100 of this amount was at drugstores
• $1,000 of this amount was paid using a digital wallet (Apple Pay, for example)
• Points or miles were redeemed for the highest value

The 1 Year column includes any signup bonuses or rewards matches. The 3-year column represents a cumulative total of the first three years. We also subtract any annual fee from these results.

Credit Card	1 Year	3 Years
Chase Freedom Unlimited®	$929	$2,387
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card	$690	$1,770
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card	$501	$1,503
American Express Cash Magnet® Card	$690	$1,770
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card	$790	$1,870
Discover It® Miles Card	$1,080	$2,160
Chase Freedom Rise®	$540	$1,620

Keep in mind that the above estimates make assumptions that may not apply to your specific circumstances. For example, you may charge more or less to the card, spend different amounts in different categories, or fail to spend enough to earn a signup bonus. The numbers do, however, provide a reasonable comparison between the 1.5% cash back cards on our list.

Chase tops our list with the most cash back rewards given the assumptions we made. Keep in mind that if paired with either the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, rewards could be even higher. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® generates Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to other cards. When transferred to either the Preferred or Reserve card, you’ll receive a 25% or 50% bonus if you redeem the points for travel purchased through Chase. We did not factor these bonuses into our rewards calculations.

How to Choose a 1.5% Cash Back Card

The cash back rewards are the most important factor. There are, however, other factors to consider when choosing the best option. Here are some factors to keep in mind.

Elevated Reward Categories

While all the cards pay the same base rate, some pay more than 1.5% in certain select categories. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a good example of this, which is why it’s our top choice.

Signup Bonus

Most of the cards on the list pay $150 after the spending requirement is satisfied. The majority of cards require you to spend $500 in the first 3 months, although some (American Express Cash Magnet® Card) require a $1,000 spend. The best options pay a higher signup bonus, as much as $200 (Chase Freedom Unlimited®).

0% APR

Virtually all of the cards on the list offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases, balance transfers, or both. It’s important to focus on how long the introductory rate lasts (12 to 15 months in most cases). For balance transfers, make sure to understand the fees that you’ll incur (typically 3% of the amount transferred).

Annual Fee

Most 1.5% cash back cards don’t charge an annual fee. As a result, these are great options for an everyday card, perhaps in conjunction with a travel rewards card.

Foreign Transaction Fees

If you plan to travel outside the U.S., consider whether the credit card charges foreign transaction fees. These can be as high as 2.7% or more of the amount of the purchase. Some of the cards on the list do not charge this fee.

Final Thoughts

Earning a minimum of 1.5% on all your purchases isn’t bad. We also like that the cards in this list either have no annual fee or a very low annual fee. Most of these cards are good companion cards to others that offer elevated cash back on certain categories. Or, if you only want to carry one credit card, these can work. But, if you want to earn more cash back on all your purchases, check out our list of credit cards that offer an even higher 2% cash back on all purchases.